Jessica Browning has been the Director of College Counseling at Carolina Day School since 2011. After completing the UC Berkeley Certificate in College Admissions and Career Planning and a Master in Arts in Counseling at University of San Diego, Jessica worked for four years as a public high school counselor while also starting her own college advising practice in Western North Carolina. Prior to her work as a counselor, Jessica was a technology and privacy consultant for PwC and Ernst & Young in New York City and San Francisco. Her consulting work in the corporate world, with inside exposure to many Fortune 500 companies, has informed her perspective on education and career opportunities. 

Get to know Jessica Browning:

In what ways can you teach/engage children at CDS that you couldn't at other schools? “As a public school counselor, I worked closely with students in the areas of academic, personal/social, and career counseling. At CDS, I am able to focus mainly on college and career counseling, working proactively and positively with students and families during an exciting time of transition in the students’ lives.”

What books and authors inspire you? “Loren Pope wrote a book in 1996 (which has been most recently revised in 2013) that has helped millions of families better understand the value of a college education, Colleges That Change Lives. While he featured 40 schools in his book that focus on student academic and personal development, it is the first three chapters in the book that can help frame the college search and college experience, ‘Getting Beyond the Hype, College Myth Busters, and Taking Your Learning Disability to College.’ In addition, one of the first books I read as I became involved in the college advising profession was The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinberg. This book is a great introduction to the nuances of competitive college admissions. There are thousands of publications out there surrounding the world of college admissions – it is important to recognize those that truly provide perspective and guidance to students families and those that simply focus on the hype.”

How would you describe yourself and/or your approach to your job in 10 words or less? “I strive to empower students to make educated and informed life decisions.”  

Which projects/events are you known for? “Through classroom activities, college trips, workshops, night events, and individualized meetings, I am able to work with students and families on many different levels. This work translates into students getting to know themselves better on both academic and personal levels. This self-awareness is imperative as they transition to the next step in their lives.”